Things to Know

Happy Face Entertainment 해피페이스 엔터테인먼트 was founded by Ahn Myungwon and Kim Youngdeuk on August 15, 2008. Ahn Myungwon and Kim Youngdeuk together are a production duo called E-Tribe.

Until January 23, 2009, Happy Face was called Harvest Entertainment. Imagine Asia has been the parent company since 2016.

The agency debuted their first artist, Nassun, through Lee Hyori's 2008 smash hit "U-Go-Girl," which was produced by E-Tribe. This single launched E-Tribe, Nassun, and the agency into mainstream popularity.

On January 5, 2009, Girls' Generation released the single "Gee," which was produced by E-Tribe. The single experienced enormous success, charting at number one on the Gaon Chart for two straight months and claiming over ten year-end awards. A Japanese version of the song was released in 2010 with composition credits still belonging to E-Tribe.

Rap-pop duo One Two (established in 2003) signed a contract with Happy Face Entertainment in early 2009. The duo released "Starry Night," "Bad Girl," "Walala Lalale," and "Very Good" before their disbandment in late 2010.

The agency briefly worked with HybRefine and Sanchez, now known as Phantom, in 2010, to produce the singles "You Can Fly," "Cosmic Dance," "Rain U," and "Sanchez-San Toi."

Following the success of E-Tribe's productions, the agency made the decision to debut their first idol girl group, Dal Shabet. E-Tribe exclusively produced Dal Shabet's releases until their fifth extended play, Have, Don't Have. The group managed to continue E-Tribe's success and went on to win various awards, including Best Newcomer Artist at the 2011 Golden Disk Awards and 2011 BUGS! Music Awards.

On May 4, 2011, it was announced that Happy Face Entertainment would be merging with Y-WHO Enterprise, a small entertainment agency founded by ex-4Men member, and current Vibe member, Yoon Minsoo. With this merger, Y-WHO Enterprise artists 4Men, Bebe Mignon, and MIIII officially became label-mates of Nassun and Dal Shabet.

In mid-2012, Bebe Mignon members Haegeum and Park Gaeul had left the agency, effectively disbanding the group. Ben has since been re-debuted by the agency as a solo artist.

Actress Yeon Mi-Ju of the hit television series "Lovers" signed an exclusive contract with Happy Face Entertainment on May 21, 2014.

On July 31, 2014, famous break dancer and recording artist Nam Hyunjoon and his wife Park Aeri joined the company.

On September 15, 2014, it was revealed that Happy Face Entertainment would be debuting their second idol girl group, Minx. On January 13, 2017, Minx re-debuted as Dreamcatcher.

In 2017, 4Men and Ben moved to The Vibe Entertainment.

Also in 2017, Happy Face Entertainment announced the launch of their subsidiary, HF Music Company and its first artist, Lee Sieun from "Kpop Star 5." Later in the year, they debuted their first vocal group Classmate, consisting of Lee Jaesung, Lee Byeongmin, and Heo Seongjeong. All of the members of Classmate had prior appearances on TV, as Jaesung was in "Superstar K2" and was part of iTeen under Fantagio, and Seongjeong was part of the cast of "I Can See Your Voice."

Also in 2017, Happy Face sent four of their trainees to "Produce 101": Jeong Woncheol, Park Woodam, Woo Jinyoung, and Jo Yonggeun. Before their appearances, Jeong Woncheol was already known as Ado of A6P under DS Entertainment, Park Woodam was a BOYS24 contestant who dropped out before the broadcast, and Jo Yonggeun appeared in Dal Shabet's FRI. SAT. SUN. teasers and was also a former trainee at DSP, where he appeared on the reality show "Hara on & off" as one of DSP's sprouts.

On May 19, 2017, Happy Face announced the Instagram of Project H Next Boys, also known as HNB, as a way to promote their next male idol group. Trainees could be added or removed from the lineup, making the first lineup Park Woodam, Woo Jinyoung, Jeong Woncheol, Jo Yonggeun, Park Hyungjin, Kim Hyunsoo, Kim Junhyeong, Lee Jongmin, and Jo Yooncheol. On July 16, due to the response from Park Hyungjin and Jeong Woncheol being eliminated from the lineup and the company, Happy Face announced that they would only post about the confirmed members: Park Woodam and Woo Jinyoung.

On June 26, HNB revealed their first song "빛이 될게 (I'm your light)" with the members who participated on "Produce 101" as a gift to the fans who supported them.

On September 25, it was announced that all Happy Face trainees alongside Dreamcatcher were to take part in "Mix Nine," revealing the actual lineup of HNB: Jo Yonggeun, Kim Hyunsoo, Park Woodam, Woo Jinyoung, Lee Jongmin, Kim Junhyeong, Jo Yooncheol, Won Hyunsik, and Yoon Jaehee. The trainees who made it into the show are Woo Jinyoung, Jo Yonggeun, Kim Hyunsoo, and Yoon Jaehee, while four Dreamcatcher members, Kim Minji, Kim Yoohyeon, Lee Siyeon, and Lee Yoobin, also made it.

On October 27, BOYS24 contestant Jung Minhwan signed a trainee contract with Happy Face Entertainment.